Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Trying something a little different with the image above. I want to use this space to experiment and I think I'll be okay if I fail a few times. There's nothing worse than not moving because you're afraid to fail, right.

One of my many passions is reading! I'm generally reading 3-5 books at a time, not to mention the one a month I read to my constant companions. No matter how old they become, I think I will always enjoy this part of our day. The time when we cuddle up with a good book just before bed. Right now we're reading the Mysterious Benedict Society and loving it!

So many books...so little time.

You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend. ~Paul Sweeney

Monday, January 11, 2010

I suppose I knew this day would come. The oldest of my constant companions told me that I should let go some and not coddle so much. I know my job is to give wings so they can fly, but I didn't expect the time to come so soon. Perhaps the time actually came long before now, but I was the only one who did not notice.

I'm grateful for days like today. Days when they feel confident enough to tell me what's on their hearts. Grateful that I can hear and not be hurt. Grateful for the big, unsolicited goodnight hug from the one who is ready to fly solo. It was as if I was being assured that letting go really isn't such a bad thing.

Above you will see the result of a science experiment (right) and part of an unfinished art project.

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Saturday, January 9, 2010

As I prepared to do laundry a few weeks ago, I checked the pockets of one of my constant companions. I was pleasantly surprised to discover a wonderful collection of huge leaves, berries, and pieces of tree bark. The entire collection has been sitting on my bathroom counter because I cannot bear to toss them out. This is just a portion of what I discovered.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

I love the way all of the layers on the pine cone come together so that you get this simple object. The cone represents people in a way... All of the different layers of our personality work together to make us the one unique being we show to the world each day. Each of us is multi-layered. Far too few of us expose all of the layers the way the cone does. Far too often I will judge based on what I see and I won't bother to go any deeper.

This year, I'm living with purpose. It sounds like a cliche, but I've never lived on purpose before! I'll be peeling back the layers in all of my relationships while also getting to know me a little better. I'm looking forward to living a deeper, richer life.

When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.--William Arthur Ward